Coca-Cola unveiled the world’s first PET
plastic bottle made entirely from plant materials earlier today at the World Expo in Milan,
Italy.

PlantBottle packaging™ uses patented technology that
converts natural sugars found in plants into the ingredients for making fully
recyclable PET plastic bottles. The packaging looks, functions and recycles
like traditional PET but has a lighter footprint on the planet and its resources.

“Today is a pioneering milestone within our company’s
portfolio,” said Nancy Quan, Global Research and Development Officer. “Our
vision was to maximize game-changing technology, using responsibly sourced
plant-based materials to create the globe’s first fully recyclable PET plastic
bottle made entirely from renewable materials. We are delighted to unveil the
first bottles at World Expo – a world-class exhibition where sustainable
innovation is celebrated.”

Since 2009, Coca-Cola has distributed more than 35
billion bottles in nearly 40 countries using its current version of PlantBottle
packaging, which is made from up to 30 percent plant-based materials. The use
of PlantBottle packaging has helped save the equivalent annual emissions of
more than 315,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, Coke estimates.

PlantBottle packaging maintains the high-quality package
consumers expect but with the added benefit of being made from renewable
materials. It can be used for a variety of packaging sizes and across water,
sparkling, juice and tea brands.

Coca-Cola currently uses sugarcane and waste from the
sugarcane manufacturing process to create PlantBottle packaging. Both materials
meet Coke’s sustainability criteria to identify plant-based ingredients for
PlantBottle material. These guiding principles include demonstrating improved
environmental and social performance as well as avoiding negative impacts on
food security.